There is a vast difference between a nonsense discussion, like McCain's $500 dollar shoes, and an ensemble that costs more than a lot of hard working Americans make in 10 years.

And yet when others do it, it's a problem?

Oh, you mean like when the right went ballistic about Edward's $400 haircut?

By the way Bit, your "guilt trip about wealth" line is pretty lame. My professed love for sports cars and Armani makes it fairly clear that I have nothing against wealth and luxury (though I am a big fan of moderation), and I have my own career accomplishments that I take pride in

And yet when others do it, it's a problem?
Why do I get the impression you're simply looking for something to get offended about, and that you're willing to apply your usual double standard to get there?

I chuckled over JE's haircut too.

It rated a chuckle. The right blew a gasket over it..

bird watching.

Well that is something we agree on. We have 9 feeders and 5 water stations in the backyard, and my wife and her crew maintain about 250 boxes for cavity nesters in the area.

But I don't think it's fair to say that the McCain's are any less concerned about those less fortunate. Cindy, has, after all, put her money where her mouth is. As do MANY ungodly wealthy people. But she also put her efforts where her mouth is.

And, anjin, for what it's worth, I'm a little sexist in that I don't like it when men are more vain or spend more attention and money to their appearance than women do. So, although, truly I'm independent, I chuckled over JE's haircut too.

So when your boss dies, anjin, are his children entitled to his inheritance?

Of course they are. I don't believe I questioned the legitimacy of inheritance, just that it represents any kind of accomplishment.

I am a bit old fashioned about some things, and am not particularly impressed by men who live large on their wives dime. This feeling applies to John Kerry as well as John McCain.

While we are on the subject of politicians lifestyles, it is a good time to point out that the right absolutely blew a gasket over John Edwards $400 haircut. A 300k ensemble kind of trumps that, don't you think?

They likened her to Jackie O

Thank you lunacy. Its been a long week, and I needed a good laugh.

My sense of style? Paris is my favorite city, and I like to pick up mid-20th century gallery prints when I am there (or I did when the dollar was worth something). I like Armani shirts, Canelli suits and Zenella slacks. The Robert Talbott outlet in Carmel Valley is a great place to shop after a round of golf. I also have an affinity for Italian audio equipment. (Unico valve amps are smoking!)

I am afraid I don't have a kaffeeklatsch, but I do find that how people present themselves tells us a lot about them. Its interesting that you mention the Kennedys. On the campaign trail, JFK changed shirts 10 times a day. He always looked tight and put together, I think he was the first one to do that.

One of the interesting things about the Kennedy's, at least the JFK generation, is that despite great wealth, they seemed to have a genuine desire to try and understand the issues of poor, working class, and middle class folks. FDR was like that too. Both men had empathy, and an appreciation of how fortunate they were. I think Reagan was too, to some extent. He remembered where he was from.

A gratuitous display of wealth at the convention, with the whole country watching, with so many getting laid off, being foreclosed, struggling to pay for health care and education is in poor taste. If you are a Republican, I can see why you might want to sidestep the issue.

You can get beautiful clothes and jewelry with money. Style is more elusive, you can't always buy it.

And if so, are they entitled to spend it on Armani, Givenchy or whomever?

More importantly, how do you feel about the fashion legacy of Jackie K. Onassis and Oleg Cassini and huge triple strand pearls with herme head scarfs?

I'm a blue jean and t-shirt tomboy, myself. But I must tell you, because I know fashion means so much to you, all the fashion savvy women in my office think Cindy looked beautiful. Her blue outfit last night was unanimously perceived to be "fabulous". They likened her to Jackie O.

They also loved Palin's gun-metal blouse, too.

I hadn't noticed but, the ladies in my kaffeeklatsch also observe that Michelle seems to be trying to channel Jackie O. Unsuccessfully, by their estimation.

But more than anything, they were glad to see the skirts and heals over the pantsuit.

Maybe you should ask your kaffeeklatsch how they feel about the current fashions among the political class, since this topic is so important to you.

Perhaps it will help you develop your own sense of style.

By the way Bit, your "guilt trip about wealth" line is pretty lame. My professed love for sports cars and Armani makes it fairly clear that I have nothing against wealth and luxury (though I am a big fan of moderation), and I have my own career accomplishments that I take pride in.

My boss has 3 beautiful homes and a bitchin' plane that he flies to them in. Good for him. He started from scratch and built a fantastic business.

Tell me something, do you classify inheriting 100 million an "accomplishment"?

The reward and promise of eternal bliss has, most likely, already been announced.

Perhaps she doesn't realize that just the idea of a woman seeking power enrages our enemy, but anyone seeking to be Vice President should.

She has plenty of time to think about this and put her son and those around him more at risk. When her boy arrives home in a body bag, maybe it will be another one of those up and down things that families go through.

There is dressing well, and then there are gratuitous, tasteless displays of wealth. With so many American's struggling to save their homes and pay for health care and education, I would say a 300k ensemble is the latter.

Newton's law states that for every action there's an equal and opposite reaction.

Bithead's correlary states that for every action, there's at least one power hungry yutz trying to make you feel guilty about it.

Why do liberals busy themselves with assocaiting guilt with wealth? I figure it's mostly because guilt is one major power they know they can exert over others.

Personally, I refuse to feel guilty about my accomplishments and what I own as a result of them. Nor should Cindy McCain, or anyone else.
Put another way, stuff your guilt trip. I'm not buying.

This is America - the hot couple wins.

The Obama dream machine just had their bubble burst.

Obviously, anjin would rather redistribute Cindy's wealth so that all women in America can dress like Michelle Obama.

No, its just that I prefer class to flash. But hey, you may be right. The McCain's are big celebrities, and they have to think about appearances for the paparazzi and such...

Obviously, anjin would rather redistribute Cindy's wealth so that all women in America can dress like Michelle Obama. That's the only way Cindy can shed her guilt for being more fortunate than the rest of the ladies.

Me...if she can afford it and it looks good, why shouldn't she wear it?

Shall we compare the cost of Obama's shoes and suits to John McCain's?

Or Cindy's charitable contributions to Michelle's?

I thought not.